Word Origin & History

ascertain early 15c., "to inform, to give assurance," from O.Fr. acertener "to assure" (13c.), from a "to" + certain "certain" (see certain). Modern meaning of "to find out for sure by experiment or investigation" is first attested 1794.

Example Sentences for ascertainable

If any name was given to the anterior family it is not now ascertainable.

Precisely when Herrick was invested with holy orders is not ascertainable.

Hence, for the post from Quebec to Montreal no legal rate was ascertainable.

In a majority of cases such reasons are, to a great extent, ascertainable.

Hence, its laws should be founded on the highest views of the divine will ascertainable.

The fact that another day had begun was only ascertainable by the shining of the star-like mouth of the hole.

The instrument must designate an ascertainable person to whom, or to whose order the money is payable.

I pursue the 129 statement of the facts which still are ascertainable respecting their external forms.

The truths of conduct, as far as they are ascertainable, were known long since to the ancient moralists.

Not in these fields of ascertainable facts can the proof that the Epics are by many men in many ages be discovered.